Democratic gubernatorial nominee Gina Hinojosa made her pitch to Houston voters Tuesday afternoon on a rooftop at the edge of downtown Houston, taking questions from moderator Don Lemon and audience members at Courier Texas’ “On the Ballot” event six weeks before Election Day.
Hinojosa is trying to become the first Democrat elected statewide in Texas since 1994. She built much of her case around what she called a Republican state leadership that has failed working Texans.
Her central campaign proposal is a $1,500 payment to every Texas household, funded by drawing down the state’s rainy day fund, which she put at $27 billion and said is “being hoarded” in Austin.
“The difference between my plan and Trump’s plan is we have the money,” Hinojosa said to laughs from the packed crowd. “We pay for it. It should be working for us.”
She said voters she meets are frustrated with both parties. “We’re not hearing people are like, ‘Yay team Democrat,’” she said. “We are hearing people say, ‘We are actually disappointed by both parties, and we’re looking at the candidate this year.’”
Hinojosa also took sharp aim at Gov. Greg Abbott.
